Power management of computer peripheral devices which determines non-usage of a device through usage detection of other devices

ABSTRACT

A system and method for monitoring usage of peripheral devices and placing a second peripheral device in a low power state when the usage indicates that a second peripheral device is not being used. For example, if a computer system detects that a user&#39;s current typing rate indicates the user probably has both hands on a keyboard, the computer system may generate a signal to the computer mouse to enter a low power state. The computer system may use prior usage for a user to determine when current usage indicates that the second peripheral device is not being used. After the second peripheral device is placed in a low power state, the computer system may generate a signal to the second peripheral device to return to a normal power state when the computer system determines that the user no longer has both hands occupied.

CONTINUATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/366,189 filed on Feb. 13, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,252 titled“Power Management of Computer Peripheral Devices Which DeterminesNon-Usage of a Device Through Usage Detection of Other Devices”, whoseinventors were Drew J. Dutton, James R. MacDonald and Stephen Cox, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully andcompletely set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to managing computer peripheraldevices and specifically to monitoring computer peripheral device usagefor power management.

2. Description of the Related Art

Computers may use many different peripheral devices including, but notlimited to, keyboards, computer mouses, monitors, touchscreens,microphones, speakers, cameras, joysticks, and light pens. Manyperipheral devices consume power while operating. For example,peripheral devices such as computer mouses and keyboards may sendsignals to a computer system through radio frequency (RF) signals. Inaddition, peripheral devices such as touchscreens (e.g., capacitancetouchscreens and resistance touchscreens), may continuously use power todetect touch on the touchscreen surface.

To manage peripheral device power usage, the peripheral device may beput into a lower power state by a user to conserve power. However, toeffectively conserve power, the user may need to remember power down theperipheral device each time the user is not using the peripheral device,and power up the peripheral device when the user resumes using theperipheral device. Manually turning the peripheral device on and off maybe tedious and time consuming. A computer system may be programmed toautomatically turn the peripheral device on and off by using a timer.The computer system may turn the peripheral device off if the computersystem has not detected any signals from the peripheral device in apredetermined amount of time. However, power may be wasted while theperipheral device remains powered up but unused during the predeterminedamount of time. Therefore, improved power management methods aredesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A computer system, with a first peripheral device and a secondperipheral device, may be programmed to monitor usage of the firstperipheral device to determine when the second peripheral device is notbeing used. In another embodiment, a peripheral control device coupledto the computer system may monitor usage of the first peripheral deviceto determine when the second peripheral device is not being used. If theusage of the first peripheral device indicates that the secondperipheral device is not currently being used, the computer system maygenerate a signal to place the second peripheral device in a low powerstate. For example, usage of the first peripheral device may indicatethat both of a user's hands are occupied with one or more peripheraldevices besides the second peripheral device, or usage may indicate thatthe hand the user uses with the second peripheral device is occupied.

In one embodiment, the first peripheral device may be a keyboard. If theuser is typing on the keyboard at a typing rate faster than a thresholdvalue, the computer system may generate a signal to put the secondperipheral device in the low power state. The threshold value may be apreset value, or the computer system may monitor a user's past typinghistory to determine an appropriate threshold value that will indicatethe user has both hands on the keyboard and/or is not using the secondperipheral device. In one embodiment, the low power state may include,but is not limited to, any power usage state that consumes less powerthan a normal power state. Placing the second peripheral device in thelow power state may include placing other components of the computersystem in the low power state (e.g., a radio frequencytransmitter/receiver used by the computer system to communicate with acomputer mouse may be put into the low power state if the computer mouseis put into the low power state).

As another example, if the user is typing distant keys on the keyboardwith a time delay less than a threshold value, the computer system maysend a signal to the second peripheral device to enter the low powerstate. The threshold value for the time delay may be preset or may bedetermined by monitoring a user's prior usage. The computer system maystore information on prior usage of the first peripheral device andcompare current typing information with the user's prior usage.

As another example, if the first peripheral device and a thirdperipheral device are used within a threshold value, the computer systemmay send a signal to put the second peripheral device in the low powerstate. In one embodiment, the first peripheral device may be a keyboardand the third peripheral device may be a touchscreen. The thresholdvalue may be preset or may be determined according to the user's priorusage. For example, if the user uses the first peripheral device, suchas the keyboard, and uses the third peripheral device, such as atouchscreen, with a delay less than a threshold value, such as, but notlimited to, half a second, the computer system may determine that theuser has both hands occupied. The computer system may then generate thesignal to the second peripheral device, e.g., a computer mouse, to enterthe low power state.

If the usage indicates that the second peripheral device is or may beused and the second peripheral device is in the low power state, thecomputer system may generate a signal to place the second peripheraldevice in the normal power state. For example, after the computer systemgenerates a signal to the second peripheral device, such as a computermouse, to enter the low power state, the computer system may detect thatthe user's usage of the first peripheral device indicates that thesecond peripheral device may be used (e.g., the user may slow his/hertyping rate or stop typing). The computer may then generate a signal tothe second peripheral device to return to the normal power state.Because the computer may generate the signal to the second peripheraldevice to enter the normal power state before the second peripheraldevice is actually used by the user, the user may not need to wait forthe second peripheral device to return to the normal power state whenthe user tries to use the second peripheral device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention may be obtained when thefollowing detailed description is considered in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system with an RF computer mouse,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer system, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for detecting whether a firstperipheral device is being used to correspondingly placing the secondperipheral device in a low power state or a normal power state,according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for detecting a hands-busy event on akeyboard to correspondingly place a computer mouse in a low power stateor a normal power state, according to one embodiment.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the drawings and detailed description theretoare not intended to limit the invention to the particular formdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 A ComputerSystem Using Power Management

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment in the form of a computer system with afirst peripheral device 107 and a second peripheral device 105. Thecomputer system may include, but is not limited to, a personal computer,a laptop, a tablet style personal computer, and a set top box for atelevision. As used herein, the “computer system” may also refer to aperipheral control device comprising an RF transmitter/receiver and amicrocontroller that may or may not be coupled to a computer. Thecomputer system may include several components including, but notlimited to, a processor/memory housing 103, a monitor 101, a firstperipheral device 107, and a second peripheral device 105. In oneembodiment, the first peripheral device 107 may be a keyboard and thesecond peripheral device 105 may be a battery powered RF computer mouse.Other peripheral devices including, but not limited to, a microphone, amonitor, a speaker, a camera, a light pen, a joystick, a gamepad, and akeyboard are also contemplated.

In one embodiment, a memory coupled to a processor inside theprocessor/memory housing 103 may store program instructions executableto monitor usage of the first peripheral device 107. In anotherembodiment, a peripheral control device coupled to the computer systemmay monitor usage of the first peripheral device to determine when thesecond peripheral device is not being used. If the usage of the firstperipheral device 107 indicates that the second peripheral device 105 isnot currently being used, then the computer system may generate a signal(e.g., an RF signal or an electrical signal comprising a softwaremessage) to place the second peripheral device 105 in a low power state.For example, the usage being monitored may indicate that the secondperipheral device 105 is not currently being used by detecting ahands-busy event. Note that as used herein, the term “hands-busy event”may refer to any usage that indicates either: 1) both hands are occupiedwith one or more peripheral devices that are not the second peripheraldevice 105, or 2) that the hand the user normally uses with the secondperipheral device 105 is occupied. For example, if the first peripheraldevice 107 is a keyboard 107, a hands-busy event may be a user typing onthe keyboard 107 at a typing rate that is faster than a threshold value.In one embodiment, the threshold value may be a preset value or theprogram instructions may be executable to monitor a user's past typinghistory to determine an appropriate threshold value that will indicatethe user has both hands on the keyboard 107.

In one embodiment, the user may provide information to the computersystem to modify how the computer system analyzes a user's past usageand/or how the computer system manages the peripheral devices. Forexample, the user may input which hand the user uses with the secondperipheral device, such as specifying a right hand for using a computermouse. In one embodiment, the computer system may then use informationcollected about the user and the user's prior usage when the user islogged in to determine when the second peripheral device is not beingused. In one embodiment, if the user specifies the right hand for usingthe computer mouse, when the computer system detects usage of right handkeys (including a number keypad on the keyboard), the computer systemmay determine that the usage indicates the second peripheral device(i.e., the computer mouse) is not being used and put the secondperipheral device in a low power state. In one embodiment, differentuser information and prior usage may be used when a different user islogged in.

In one embodiment, if the user is typing distant keys on the keyboard107 with a time delay less than a threshold value, the computer systemmay send a signal to the second peripheral device 105 to enter the lowpower state. As used herein, the term “distant keys” refers to keysseparated by a distance indicative of both hands being used, e.g.,left-hand keys and right-hand keys. The threshold value for the timedelay may be determined according to a preset calculated typing rate ormay be determined by monitoring the user's prior usage. For example, ifthe user's prior usage indicates that when the user has pressed aright-hand key 121, e.g., a “P” key 121, and a left-hand key 111, e.g.,a “Z” key 111, less than a half a second apart the computer mouse wasnot being used, a hands-busy event may be defined as a user pressing aright-hand key 121 and a left-hand key 111 in less than half a second.

In one embodiment, the computer system may store information on theuser's prior usage of the first peripheral device 107 and compare acurrent typing pattern with the user's prior usage to determine if ahands-busy event has occurred. For example, to several factors of auser's typing pattern may be considered in the user's prior usageincluding, but not limited to, the distance between keys, which keyswere pressed, and/or which specific keys were pressed within a relativetime threshold value for those specific keys. In other words, the user'styping pattern may be monitored to determine time threshold values forrelative distances between keys and/or specific combinations of keys.

In one embodiment, software may examine typing characteristics ofcertain key combinations, such as combination of certain left-hand andright-hand keys. For example, while the user may press an “A” key 109and a “D” key 113, a first distance apart, within a half a second, priorusage may indicate that the user is capable of pressing the “A” key 109and the “D” key 113 with one hand while moving the computer mouse withthe other hand. However, if the user presses an “F” key 115 and an “N”key (which are also approximately a first distance apart on a standardkeyboard 107) in less than half a second, the user's prior usage mayindicate that the user most likely has both hands on the keyboard 107.

As another example, a threshold value of less than half a second apartbetween pressing the “P” key 121 and the “Z” key 111 may be sufficientfor one hands-busy event, but a smaller threshold value may be neededfor closer keys such as, but not limited to, the “F” key 115 and a “J”key 119. The user's prior usage may indicate that if a user presses the“F” key 115 and the “J” key 119 less than 0.3 seconds apart, the userprobably has both hands on the keyboard 107 (i.e. a hands-busy event),but that a time of 0.5 seconds between pressing the “F” key 115 and the“J” key 119 may indicate that the user has only one hand on the keyboard107 (e.g. if the user types with both hands on the keyboard 107, theuser may press the “F” key 115 and the “J” key 119 in less than 0.3seconds, but the user may also be capable of pressing the “F” key 115and the “J” key 119 with one hand; although, since using the same handfor these two keys is not the normal typing position, it may take theuser a fraction of a second longer to coordinate the fingers on one handto press these two keys while the user's other hand is free). Othertyping patterns and threshold values are also contemplated.

Other hands-busy events are also contemplated. For example, if the firstperipheral device 107 and a third peripheral device, both hand-operateddevices, are used in a time delay less than a threshold value, thecomputer system may send a signal to put the second peripheral device105 in the low power state. In one embodiment, the first peripheraldevice 107 may include the keyboard 107 and the third peripheral devicemay include a touchscreen 123. The threshold value may be preset or maybe determined according to a user's prior usage. For example, if theuser uses the first peripheral device 107, such as the keyboard 107, anduses the third peripheral device, such as the touchscreen 123, with atime delay less than the threshold value, such as, but not limited to,half a second, the computer system may determine that a hands-busy eventhas occurred and then the computer system may send a signal to thecomputer mouse to enter the low power state.

In one embodiment, the low power state may include any power usage stateof the second peripheral device that consumes less power than a normalpower state. Also, in one embodiment, the normal power state may be amore ready state, such as, but not limited to, a power state sufficientto operate the peripheral device. Other power states are alsocontemplated. Generating a signal to put the second peripheral device inthe low power state may include generating a signal to put othercomponents of the computer system, or coupled to the computer system, ina low power state (e.g., a radio frequency transmitter/receiver used bythe computer system to communicate with a radio frequency computer mousemay be put into the low power state when the computer mouse is put intothe low power state).

In one embodiment, when the monitored usage indicates that the secondperipheral device 105 is possibly being used (e.g., a hands busy eventis no longer detected), and the second peripheral device 105 is in thelow power state, then the computer system may generate a signal to placethe second peripheral device 105 in the normal power state. For example,the computer system may detect that the user is using the firstperipheral device 107, such as the keyboard, with both hands and thenthe computer system may generate a signal to the second peripheraldevice 105, such as a computer mouse, to enter the low power state.Later, the computer system may detect that the user's first peripheraldevice usage indicates that the second peripheral device 105 may be used(e.g. the user may slow his/her typing rate, stop typing, or use thesecond peripheral device 105). The computer may then generate a signalto the second peripheral device 105 to enter the normal power state.Because the computer system may anticipate a user's usage of the secondperipheral device 105, the computer system may generate a signal to thesecond peripheral device 105 to enter the normal power state before thesecond peripheral device 105 is actually used by the user. In otherwords, the user may not need to wait for the second peripheral device105 to return to the normal power state when the user tries to use thesecond peripheral device 105. In one embodiment, the computer system maygenerate a signal to the second peripheral device 105 to enter thenormal power state when the user actually uses the second peripheraldevice 105. For example, if the second peripheral device 105 is acomputer mouse, detected movement of the computer mouse may cause thecomputer system to generate a signal to the second peripheral device 105to enter the normal power state.

FIG. 2 A Block Diagram of a Computer System Managing Peripheral DevicePower

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a computer system. Thecomputer system may include a memory 203 coupled to a processor 201,such as, but not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU). The memory203 may store program instructions executable to monitor usage of afirst peripheral device 207 (or monitor usage of a plurality ofperipheral devices). The program instructions may be further executableto generate a signal to place the second peripheral device 209 in a lowpower state if the usage of the first peripheral device indicates thatthe second peripheral device 209 is not currently being used. In oneembodiment, a chipset logic 205 may be used to couple the firstperipheral device 207 and the second peripheral device 209 to theprocessor 201 and memory 203. In another embodiment, the chipset logic205 may not be included. In one embodiment, the computer system may alsoinclude a bus 213 and a display 215. In addition, in one embodiment,wireless communication circuitry, referred to in FIG. 2 as peripheralcontrol device 211, such as, but not limited to an RFtransmitter/receiver and power management circuitry, may be used tocommunicate with one or more peripheral devices in a wireless fashionsuch as, but not limited to, the first peripheral device 207 and thesecond peripheral device 209. Other components to communicate with theone or more peripheral devices are also contemplated. In one embodiment,the peripheral control device 211 coupled to the computer system mayhave a microcontroller to monitor usage of the first peripheral device207 to determine when the second peripheral device 209 is not beingused. The first peripheral device 207 may be coupled to the chipsetlogic 205 or the peripheral control device 211.

If the second peripheral device 209 is in the low power state and theusage of the first peripheral device (or lack of usage) being monitoredindicates that the second peripheral device 209 could possibly (orimminently) be used, a signal may be generated to place the secondperipheral device 209 in a normal power state. The signal to put thesecond peripheral device 209 in the normal power state may be generatedbefore the user actually uses the second peripheral device 209, suchthat the user may not need to wait for the second peripheral device 209to return to the normal power state when the user tries to use thesecond peripheral device 209. In one embodiment, multiple peripheraldevices may be switched between low power states and normal power statesaccording to the detected usage of other peripheral devices coupled tothe computer system.

FIG. 3 Flowchart for Detecting Use and Coordinating Power

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for detectingwhether a first peripheral device is being used to correspondinglyswitch a second peripheral device between a low power state and a normalpower state. The first and second peripheral devices are preferablyinput devices. The first and second peripheral devices may include, butare not limited to, a computer mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, atouchscreen monitor, a speaker, a camera, a light pen, a gamepad, and ajoystick. It should be noted that in various embodiments of the methodsdescribed below, one or more of the steps described may be performedconcurrently, in a different order than shown, or may be omittedentirely. Other additional steps may also be performed as desired. Asdescribed below, the method may be carried out by a computer systemand/or a peripheral control device coupled to the computer system.

At 301, a computer system may monitor usage of a first peripheral device(or multiple peripheral devices) to determine if the second peripheraldevice is currently being used. For example, in one embodiment, thefirst peripheral device may be a keyboard, and the usage to be monitoredmay include a typing rate and/or a time delay between pressing distantkeys (e.g., left hand keys and right hand keys) on the keyboard. Otherusage of a keyboard may also be monitored. In one embodiment, thecomputer system may also monitor usage of other peripheral devicescoupled to the computer system in order to determine if the secondperipheral device is being used.

At 303, the computer system may determine if the usage indicates thatthe second peripheral device is not currently being used. In oneembodiment, the computer system may compare current usage to prior usageto determine if the second peripheral device is being used. For example,one or more of typing rates, pressing of distant keys, the location ofdistant keys pressed, and the length of time between pressing distantkeys may be monitored. This current usage information may be compared toprior usage information recorded when the second peripheral device wasnot being used. For example, the user typing on the keyboard at a typingrate that is faster than a threshold value may indicate that the secondperipheral device is not currently being used. In one embodiment, thethreshold value may be a preset value or the program instructions may beexecutable to monitor a user's past typing history to heuristicallydetermine an appropriate threshold value that will indicate a user hasboth hands on the keyboard. As another example, in one embodiment, ifthe first peripheral device is the keyboard, the user typing distantkeys on the keyboard with a time delay less than a threshold value mayindicate that the user has both hands on the keyboard. The thresholdvalue for the time delay may be preset or may be determined by programinstructions stored on a computer system memory and executable tomonitor a user's prior usage. In another example, both of the user'shands may be occupied if the user is using the first peripheral deviceand the third peripheral device in a time delay within a thresholdvalue. In one embodiment, the first peripheral device may include thekeyboard and the third peripheral device may include a touchscreen. Thethreshold value may be preset or may be determined according to theuser's prior usage.

In one embodiment, the computer system may differentiate between usagethat indicates a second peripheral device is not being used in the shortterm and usage that indicates that the second peripheral device is notbeing used for a longer period of time. In other words, the computersystem may not generate a signal to the second peripheral device everytime the computer system determines that both hands are being used, butinstead, the computer system may take into account how quickly the userhas started using the second peripheral device in the past after certainprior usage.

If the computer system determines that the usage of the first peripheraldevice (or lack of usage) indicates that the second peripheral device iscurrently being used, the computer system may not generate a signal tothe second peripheral device to enter the low power state. In thisembodiment, the computer may return to 301 and the above operations mayrepeat.

At 307, if the computer system determines in 303 that the usage of thefirst peripheral device indicates that the second peripheral device isnot currently being used, the computer system may generate a signal toplace the second peripheral device in the low power state.

After the second peripheral device has been placed in a low power state,at 309, the computer system may determine if the usage of the firstperipheral device (or lack thereof) indicates that the second peripheraldevice is a candidate for use. In other words, the computer system maydetermine if the usage indicates that the user no longer has both handsoccupied. This may involve determining a lack of usage of the firstperipheral device and also determining that other peripheral devices arenot being used. Other usage that indicates the second peripheral deviceis a candidate for use or is possibly being used is also contemplated.

If the computer system determines that the usage of the first peripheraldevice does not indicate that the second peripheral device is possiblybeing used, the computer system may not generate a signal to the secondperipheral device to enter the normal power state. The computer systemmay then continue to monitor usage in 309, as shown.

At 313, if the computer system determines that the usage of the firstperipheral device, indicates that the second peripheral device ispossibly being used (e.g., is a candidate for use), and the secondperipheral device is in the low power state, the computer system maygenerate a signal to the second peripheral device to enter the normalpower state. The signal to put the second peripheral device in thenormal power state may be generated before the user actually uses thesecond peripheral device such that the user may not need to wait for thesecond peripheral device to return to the normal power state before theuser can use the second peripheral device.

FIG. 4 One Embodiment for a Keyboard and a Computer Mouse

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for detecting ahands-busy event on a keyboard and correspondingly switching a computermouse between a low power state and a normal power state. It should benoted that in various embodiments of the methods described below, one ormore of the steps described may be performed concurrently, in adifferent order than shown, or may be omitted entirely. Other additionalsteps may also be performed as desired.

At 401, a computer system may monitor a usage of a first peripheraldevice such as a keyboard. In one embodiment, the computer system maymonitor typing rates, the distance between keys pressed, the location ofkeys pressed, and the length of time between pressing keys. Other usageto be monitored is also contemplated. Usage indicating that a secondperipheral device, such as a computer mouse, is not being used may bedesignated as a hands-busy event.

At 403, the computer system may determine if a hands-busy event has beendetected on the keyboard. For example, a hands-busy event may be theuser typing on the keyboard at a typing rate that is greater than athreshold value, or the user typing distant keys on the keyboard with atime delay less than a threshold value. If a hands-busy event has notbeen detected on the keyboard, the computer system may not generate asignal to the computer mouse to enter the low power state. In thisembodiment, the computer may return to 401 and the above operations mayrepeat. At 407, if a hands-busy event has been detected on the keyboard,the computer system may generate a signal to the computer mouse to enterthe low power state.

At 409, the computer system may determine if the hands-busy event isstill being detected on the keyboard. In other words, the computersystem may continue monitoring usage of the peripheral devices after thecomputer mouse has been placed into the low power state. If the computersystem is still detecting a hands-busy event on the keyboard, thecomputer system may not generate a signal to the computer mouse to entera normal power state. The computer system may continue to monitor usagein 409, as shown. At 413, if the computer system is not still detectingthe hands-busy event on the keyboard, the computer system may generate asignal to the computer mouse to enter the normal power state. The signalto put the second peripheral device in the normal power state may begenerated before the user actually uses the second peripheral devicesuch that the user may not need to wait for the second peripheral deviceto return to the normal power state when the user tries to use thesecond peripheral device.

Various embodiments may further include receiving or storinginstructions and/or information implemented in accordance with theforegoing description upon a carrier medium. Suitable carrier media mayinclude storage media or memory media such as magnetic or optical media,e.g., disk or CD-ROM, random access memory, or other memory, as well astransmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, ordigital signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as a networkand/or a wireless link.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to beunderstood that the forms of the invention shown and described hereinare to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Elements andmaterials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein,parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of theinvention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to oneskilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of theinvention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in thefollowing claims.

1. A method, comprising: determining if a first peripheral device isbeing actively used by a user to determine if a second peripheral deviceis not being used by the user, wherein the first peripheral device beingactively used by the user indicates that the second peripheral device isnot currently being used by the user; and generating a signal to placethe second peripheral device in a low power state if the usage indicatesthat the second peripheral device is not currently being used by theuser.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a signalto place the second peripheral device in a normal power state, if theusage indicates that the second peripheral device is possibly beingused, and if the second peripheral device is in the low power state. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the first peripheral device is akeyboard.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said determining determinesthat both hands of a user are typing on the keyboard.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first peripheral device is a microphone.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first peripheral device is a keyboard;and wherein the second peripheral device is a mouse.
 7. A method,comprising: determining if a keyboard is currently being used todetermine if a second peripheral device is being used, wherein thekeyboard currently being used indicates that the second peripheraldevice is not being used; and generating a signal to place the secondperipheral device in a low power state if the usage indicates that thesecond peripheral device is not currently being used.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising: generating a signal to place the secondperipheral device in a normal power state, if the usage indicates thatthe second peripheral device is possibly being used, and if the secondperipheral device is in the low power state.
 9. A computer system,comprising: a processor; a first peripheral device coupled to theprocessor; a second peripheral device coupled to the processor; a memorycoupled to the processor and configured to store program instructionsexecutable by the processor to: monitor usage of the first peripheraldevice; and wherein, if the usage indicates that the second peripheraldevice is not currently being used by a user by detecting active use ofthe first peripheral device by the user, generate a signal to place thesecond peripheral device in a low power state.
 10. The computer systemof claim 9, wherein the program instructions are further executable bythe processor to: wherein, if the usage indicates that the secondperipheral device is possibly being used and if the second peripheraldevice is in the low power state, generate a signal to place the secondperipheral device in a normal power state.
 11. A computer-accessiblememory medium comprising program instructions, wherein programinstructions are computer-executable to: monitor usage of a firstperipheral device and a second peripheral device to determine if a thirdperipheral device is currently being used by detecting a time delaybetween a user using the first peripheral device and using the secondperipheral device in less than a threshold value; and generate a signalto place the third peripheral device in a low power state if the usageindicates that the third peripheral device is not currently being used.12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the first peripheral deviceis a keyboard.
 13. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the secondperipheral device is a computer mouse.
 14. The computer system of claim11, wherein the first peripheral device is a keyboard; and wherein thesecond peripheral device is a computer mouse.
 15. The computer system ofclaim 11, wherein the third peripheral device comprises one of acomputer mouse, a second keyboard, a microphone, a monitor, a speaker, acamera, a light pen, a joystick, a gamepad, and a touchscreen.